For this #WIB feature, we speak to Melinta Iyaloo, founder of the free app La Luma, whose journey was shaped by her experience as a single mother facing isolation and emotional overwhelm. Recognising the lack of accessible, non-judgmental support for women in similar situations, she created a platform designed to offer connection, understanding, and a safe space to be heard.
1. What inspired you to start La Luma, and what gap did you see in the market?
Being a single mother can be incredibly isolating. There are moments when all you really need is someone to talk to without judgment, without your feelings being dismissed, without having to explain why you’re struggling. It was on one of those days that the idea for La Luma was born.
I realised there had to be a way to support mothers in a way that felt accessible, safe, and immediate. While organisations are doing important work for women and children, they didn’t always feel reachable to me, whether due to red tape, location, or simply not having the emotional capacity to walk into a physical space.
That’s where La Luma comes in. An app-based platform made sense because it meets women where they are on their phones, in their own space, at any time of day. It’s designed to be a 24/7 support system, but also more than that: a space for connection, empowerment, shared experiences, and growth. It’s not just about surviving motherhood; it’s about reclaiming your power within it
2. How did you take the first step with no technical background?
The truth is, I didn’t start with confidence; I started with conviction. I realised that everything I had experienced in life up to that point had prepared me in some way. Every challenge, every setback, every “failure” had built a level of resilience and adaptability that I could now draw from. So instead of being intimidated by what I didn’t know, I leaned into learning.
I explored AI tools, taught myself new skills, and took things one step at a time. I had already made a decision that 2026 would be my year of new beginnings. After finally pushing past my own doubts and publishing my book, something I had previously convinced myself I could not do, I proved to myself that I could follow through.
La Luma became the next bold step. Not because I knew exactly how it would all unfold, but because I believed deeply enough in the vision to figure it out along the way.
3. What were the biggest challenges you faced in the early days?
Time was my first and biggest challenge. I’m a full-time working mother of two, and the sole provider, so building La Luma meant working in the margins of my day, early mornings, late nights, and everything in between. I’m naturally someone who wants to see results quickly, so learning patience was not optional; it was necessary.
Then came the technical side. It was challenging, yes, but also surprisingly exciting. I discovered that I actually enjoy learning and stretching myself beyond what I thought I was capable of. Each small breakthrough gave me the confidence to keep going. It wasn’t easy, but it was empowering.
4. How did being a single mother shape your entrepreneurial journey?
It forced me to face a hard truth: people care, but only to a certain extent, because everyone is dealing with their own battles. Once I accepted that, something shifted. I realised that I couldn’t sit back and accept a limited version of what my life could be. I had to decide that this would not be my story.
Being a single mother pushed me into spaces I may never have explored otherwise. It forced me to rebuild myself from a place of feeling powerless, and in doing so, I rediscovered a strength I didn’t know I had. Now, that same journey fuels my purpose to empower other women who find themselves in similar situations, and to remind them that their story is not over.
5. What kept you motivated during difficult moments?
Honestly? I didn’t feel like I had the luxury of giving up. Not because success was guaranteed, but because failure was expected. And I refused to accept that narrative. More importantly, I’m deeply passionate about advocating for single mothers.
In South Africa, nearly half of all children are raised by their mothers alone. Yet, this group remains under-supported and often overlooked. If I can create even a small shift to make one woman feel seen, supported, or empowered, then I owe it to her to keep going. No matter how hard it gets.
6. Can you share a turning point that changed the direction of your business?
The real turning point came when La Luma moved from being an idea to an actual product. Up until then, it was just a vision, something I believed in, but couldn’t yet show. Once it became tangible, everything changed. It demonstrated my commitment and resilience, and it signaled to others that this was real.
That’s when people started coming into my space, people who wanted to contribute, collaborate, and be part of something meaningful. That support, no matter how small, validated the journey and strengthened my resolve to keep building.
7. How did you build confidence in a space that was unfamiliar to you?
Confidence didn’t come first; action did. There’s always a learning curve, especially when you’re stepping into something new. I’ve learnt to stay open, to absorb as much information as I can, and to apply what works. But the biggest lesson? Taking the first step is already a win. And with every step after that, confidence grows naturally.
8. What skills did you have to learn quickly to grow La Luma?
One of the biggest shifts for me was learning to show up and be seen. La Luma isn’t just a platform; it’s deeply tied to my personal story. And as someone who has lived a fairly private life, putting myself out there didn’t come naturally. But I’ve learnt that my story has power. And more importantly, I’ve learnt that other people’s judgments are not a reflection of my truth. Owning that has been a game-changer.
9. How do you balance running a business with raising two children?
Balance is something we’ve had to build over time; it didn’t happen overnight. When it became just the three of us, I quickly realised I couldn’t do everything alone. I had to create systems that worked for our home. That meant empowering my children with small responsibilities, things like making their lunches or helping around the house.
They’ve grown into it, and I’ve learnt to trust them more. Now, we run what I like to call a “mostly smooth operation”, and I say mostly because there are still reminders… and the occasional mom rant. But it works. And it’s ours.
10. What does success look like for you today?
Success, for me, is turning something that once felt impossible into something real. We’re not at the finish line, and I don’t think we ever will be, because my vision for La Luma continues to grow. But we’ve already started making an impact.
Knowing that I’ve touched the lives of women who felt unseen or unsupported, that’s success. And on a personal level, success is not giving in to the voices that told me my dreams were over. It’s choosing myself, my strength, and my worth, every single day.
11. What advice would you give to women starting with limited resources or experience?
Don’t let all the reasons it can’t work stop you from exploring how it can. Take the first step, even if you don’t know exactly where it will lead. If you truly believe in your vision, you will find a way to bring it to life.
My journey started five years ago when I walked away from a toxic relationship with nothing. No safety net, no clear plan, just a decision to start again. I enrolled in a business degree without knowing how it would serve me. Now, everything has come full circle. Trust the process. Even when it doesn’t make sense yet.
12. What’s next for La Luma and your personal journey?
La Luma is more than a business; it’s my legacy. My vision is for it to grow into a platform that supports single mothers at scale, while also giving them opportunities to contribute and be part of its evolution. I’d also love to launch a podcast, because storytelling is powerful. When women share their experiences, we realise we’re not alone, and that’s where real strength begins.
Personally, my goal is simple: to continue spreading light, not just to the women La Luma serves, but to their children as well. Because when mothers are supported, we raise stronger, more empowered generations.
